First-person: Hoshino Yume
The next day, I hurried to the company. As soon as I arrived, I stormed into the department responsible for surveillance.
"What are you saying? Do you think it makes sense that you lost track of him for a whole day!? And to us, of all people—professionals!?"
The employees tailing Kamiki Hikaru bowed their heads, having no excuse. Seeing them simply apologize, I forced myself to calm down. I knew my team's skills better than anyone.
"...Please tell me how you lost him."
"Understood."
One of them stepped forward.
"It happened in an instant. No, it was as if he knew. Right after you gave the order to monitor him from a distance, he shook us off right in front of our eyes."
"To be honest, he didn't seem to have noticed us."
"Literally, we were right there, but it was like he vanished into thin air."
"Of course, the next day—that is, now—we resumed monitoring him again."
"I see..."
After hearing the explanation, a disturbing guess formed in my mind.
What if, to progress this story, Kamiki's existence was hidden from us for an instant?
That girl said she couldn't interfere with me anymore, but she never once said she couldn't interfere with other people.
But I soon erased that thought. That 'girl' had clearly described herself as just a reader. Interfering any further in our world should have been impossible for her.
In the end, I concluded:
"It seems Kamiki Hikaru has also used his acting talent in this way."
"Yes. To be honest, from what we felt while monitoring, he didn't seem like an ordinary person at all."
Seeing the employee agree with me, I nodded.
"I understand. Sorry for storming in like this."
I apologized sincerely. While my position in the team was higher, in terms of age, I was the youngest. I always used polite speech with the team members, and they reciprocated.
At my apology, another employee smiled and waved his hand.
"Ahaha, no, not at all. We're the ones who are sorry. We'll strengthen surveillance so this doesn't happen again. And by the way, we always watch Ai-chan on TV. She's grown up a lot."
"Yes, she's an adult now."
"Huhu, you must be happy, Yume. You're her guardian, right?"
"That's right. Anyway, I'll be going for now."
"Yes, understood. Oh, and..."
Right before I left, the employee shared a piece of information.
"Do you know that B-Komachi, the group Ai-chan belongs to, is going to have a dome performance?"
"A dome...?"
At the word 'dome', a thought flashed through my mind.
"...Thank you. That's good information."
"Not at all. Most of the information that comes to us is stuff we should pass on to the executives anyway."
"Then, I'll take my leave."
As I walked away, the realization settled in heavy and cold.
Right after the dome performance... 'Hoshino Ai' is murdered.
"I guess I need to start preparing on my side, too."
According to the employee's information, the dome performance is in a week. The day Ai is murdered is likely the day of the performance itself.
I need to start preparing now.
With the heavy realization that I might genuinely have to kill a human being, I made my way to the Director's office.
Third-person: Hoshino Ai
Hoshino Ai had been seriously pondering something lately. The reason for her worry began when she accidentally overheard her children's conversation.
"Honestly, I tried not to think about it as much as possible... but who exactly is our father? Ah... just thinking about it makes me gloomy."
"Huh? Are you an idiot? You were gloomy over something that trivial?"
At Aqua's words, Ruby spoke confidently, as if the answer were obvious. Her eyes were dead serious.
"Obviously, it's a virgin birth. There was never a man from the start."
Seeing that, Hoshino Ai felt cold sweat dripping down her back. Watching her children reach such a strange conclusion, the thought that this might be dangerous swirled in her mind.
Honestly, the moment she heard those words, Ai was filled with the desire to run to them and say, 'Your father is actually Yume★'
But at the very least, Ai wanted to tell Yume first, not the children.
And that opportunity came not long after.
The trigger was the dome performance.
First-person: Hoshino Yume
After finishing the conversation with Director Kuma and returning home, I found Saito and Miyako already there, preparing for a small celebration at our house.
"This alcohol is really delicious!!! Here!! It's celebration booze for our new home! Drink up, drink!!"
Saito, with Aqua next to him, seemed to have drunk quite a bit already; his face was flushed red.
"Wow~ I want some too!"
"No way."
"No."
Miyako and I simultaneously stopped Ai from trying to drink directly from the bottle. Since Ai wasn't twenty yet, we had to put a stop to it.
"Ai, you turn twenty next week. Just wait a little longer. I'll buy you suitable alcohol then."
"Then will Yume drink with me too?"
"Sure."
Originally, I really liked drinking. In this life, I have a body that doesn't get drunk easily, so when I do drink, I tend to go for hard liquor.
At my words, Saito slurred happily.
"Ah~ that's right, that's right. Sorry, sorry. More importantly, the drama Ai is starring in has great ratings...! B-Komachi's schedule is packed too!!!"
"And finally, next week is the dome!! Kuhahahahaha!!!"
"Let's leave Aqua alone for now."
Perhaps because the smell of alcohol was strong, Aqua turned his head away. I pulled him from Saito's arms and sat him next to me. Aqua let out a sigh of relief.
"The Director seems to be in a good mood."
"The Director's dream was to take an idol he raised to the dome. Well, that's not just his dream, but the dream of all Ichigo Production employees."
"Is the dome that amazing?"
Ai, who didn't really understand the magnitude of the dome, asked in a tone that said, 'What's the big deal?'
"Ai, listen well. The dome is different from other venues. Without a professional company backing you, you can't even get a spot. There's a strict screening process to see if the artist has the skill to handle such a large audience and the track record to deserve the stage."
Of course, to some extent, large companies can apply pressure. The company I work for is powerful enough to do so, but since this appearance was earned through Ai's own strength, I didn't intervene.
"It's a venue that requires long-term effort from the staff—a place that can't be bought with money alone."
I took the drink Miyako handed me and took a sip.
"So, in other words, the dome is a special stage that only a select few artists can ascend to. You could say it's the ultimate dream for idols like you, Ai."
"Aha~★"
After finishing the explanation, I checked Ai's face.
You still won't show your true feelings, huh.
From what I've seen after watching her for so long, Ai's face just seemed to be pretending to be happy.
"Oh, right, Ai. I'm saying this now, but since it's an important period, avoid scandals. Don't even think about meeting the children's father. Of course, Yume will stop you if you try."
"Of course."
First-person: Hoshino Ai
"Since it's an important period, avoid scandals. Don't even think about meeting the children's father. Of course, Yume will stop you."
Hearing that, I looked at Yume. His expression showed a determination that said he would definitely deal with the twins' father if he found him.
Ahah★ Someone who thinks this much of me... is probably only Yume in the whole world.
"Of course."
At Saito's words, a lie naturally slipped from my mouth.
But what can I do? I'm a liar.
A liar who says things appropriate to the situation before I even think. Even I don't know what is my true heart and what is a lie anymore.
"Mama~"
"Yes, yes, good girl, good girl."
I patted Ruby's head as she approached me.
I've never been good at loving anyone except Yume since long ago. Honestly, I never thought someone like me could be an idol.
Setting Ruby aside for a moment, I headed straight to the only person I truly love.
I've never said 'I love you' even once to Ruby and Aqua. But at least to Yume, I couldn't stop saying it.
"Yume~"
"Yes, yes."
Yume seemed to be in a good mood for some reason—maybe because of the alcohol—and even that seemed cute to me. Thanks to that, I could act cute all day in his arms...
But the thought rising in my chest was starting to scare me a little: what if when I say 'I love you' to the children, they realize it's a lie?
Since I've never loved anyone other than Yume...
So I lie again today. Believing that the lie will become true. Even if I have to pay the price someday.
Meanwhile, the story Yume had told me always swirled in my mind.
Before I knew it, the time for my dome performance approached.
First-person: Hoshino Yume
Today, the day of Ai's dome performance finally arrived.
Honestly, I was anxious. This unknown anxiety felt like it was consuming my entire body. Since yesterday, I hadn't slept a wink and stayed by Ai's side the whole time.
Since the place Ai lives now is not the 'original' apartment but a standalone house I bought directly, I held onto the vain hope that no one would find us here.
But this unknown anxiety kept squeezing me. This feeling was...
'Very similar to when I forgot about Dr. Goro's death.'
That's right. When Dr. Goro's death was erased from my mind, I felt just like this. But this time, since there was clearly no supernatural interference, the memory of Ai's impending fate remained sharp.
I headed to the bathroom to collect myself for a moment.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
Just as I thought it might be Saito or Miyako arriving to pick us up...
"Ai, don't open the door!!!!!"
Realizing that Saito and Miyako were supposed to wait at the company, I hurriedly ran to the entrance and shouted.
But...
"Huh? Why, Yume?"
Ai had already opened the door.
There stood a man in a black hoodie holding a bouquet of flowers. The man looked at Ai, then at me.
"Ai... congratulations on the dome performance. Are the twin children doing well?"
With those words, he pulled out a hidden knife and rushed to stab Ai.
"Ai!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"